“Our LEED Platinum building is a marvelous example of sustainable architecture that has wowed millions of visitors since we opened three years ago. However, it is more than just a building. It is also a stage—one that has allowed us to host a wide variety of programs and exhibits about the history and future of life on Earth. Delivering these programs as sustainably as possible helps us inspire our visitors to make sustainable choices in their own lives.”

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That’s right, baby – double platinum:

All the deets:

THE CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES RECEIVES SECOND LEED PLATINUM RATING FROM U.S. GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL

Awarded for its sustainable operations and maintenance, the Academy is now the world’s largest “Double Platinum” building

SAN FRANCISCO – On September 27, 2008, the California Academy of Sciences unveiled the world’s greenest museum—an eco-friendly new home featuring a hilly living roof, recycled denim insulation, and many other green innovations. Three years and more than five million visitors later, the museum celebrates another symbolic color: platinum. Today, the U.S. Green Building Council presented the Academy with its second LEED Platinum award, making the California Academy of Sciences the world’s first “Double Platinum” museum and the world’s largest Double Platinum building. Designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano, the Academy building houses an aquarium, planetarium, natural history museum, and world-class research and education programs under one living roof, standing as an embodiment of its 158-year-old mission to explore, explain, and protect the natural world.

“We couldn’t be more proud of the Academy for its commitment to high levels of environmental performance, and for setting the example as a leader in the San Francisco green building community and around the world,” said San Francisco Mayor Edwin Lee. “Their Double Platinum rating is truly a remarkable achievement for our City.”

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system is a voluntary, consensus-based standard for evaluating high-performance, sustainable buildings. By earning points across a variety of sustainability categories, buildings can earn a basic certification, Silver, Gold, or Platinum rating. In October 2008, the Academy received its first LEED Platinum rating under the “New Construction” category, which focused on the building’s design and construction process. In August 2011, the Academy received its second LEED Platinum rating under the “Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance” category, which certifies that its day-to-day operations and business practices also meet the highest standards of sustainability.

The Academy’s operations and maintenance practices were evaluated and earned points across six different categories: sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, and innovation and design process. Based on a wide range of green practices and performance metrics, including transportation, purchasing decisions, and waste disposal, it was awarded a total of 82 points, exceeding the threshold for a Platinum certification (80 points).

Founded in 1853, the California Academy of Sciences is one of the world’s preeminent natural history museums and is an international leader in scientific research about the natural world. The 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake damaged the Academy’s original home in Golden Gate Park, but also provided a silver lining: the opportunity to reinvent the facility from the ground up. After nearly a decade of planning and the largest cultural fundraising effort in San Francisco history, the new Academy opened to the public in 2008. This major new initiative built on the Academy’s distinguished history and deepened its commitment to advancing scientific literacy, engaging the public, and documenting and conserving Earth’s natural resources.

“Our LEED Platinum building is a marvelous example of sustainable architecture that has wowed millions of visitors since we opened three years ago,” said Dr. Gregory Farrington, Executive Director of the Academy. “However, it is more than just a building. It is also a stage—one that has allowed us to host a wide variety of programs and exhibits about the history and future of life on Earth. Delivering these programs as sustainably as possible helps us inspire our visitors to make sustainable choices in their own lives.”

“Yee Announces Plan to Make San Francisco Cleaner and Greener – Yee unveils environmental policy commitments he plans to undertake as Mayor

SAN FRANCISCO – Today, Mayoral candidate and Senator Leland Yee unveiled his environmental policy plan, entitled “San Francisco 2020: Leland Yee’s vision for a cleaner, greener city.” Yee released his plan at Rincon Park along side members of the Sierra Club and San Francisco Tomorrow.

Yee’s plan contains 24 specific commitments that he will embark on as Mayor to ensure the city continues to lead on urban environmental policy, that parks are protected from privatization, that we meet our 100% clean energy and zero waste goals, and that we protect our treasured shoreline in preparation for the America’s Cup.

“I am looking forward to making our city the greenest urban center in the nation,” said Yee. “As Mayor, I will fight to protect our air, land and water for future generations. This plan will ensure San Francisco continues to lead on environmental policy and park stewardship, and that we meet our clean energy and zero waste goals.”

Yee is the endorsed candidate by San Francisco’s leading environmental organizations, including the Sierra Club and San Francisco Tomorrow, as their first choice for the environment.

“Leland Yee has the strongest and most established environmental record of the candidates running for Mayor, and we proudly endorse his campaign,” said Arthur Feinstein, Chair of the Sierra Club – San Francisco Bay Chapter. “His vision will help San Francisco lead the nation in environmental stewardship.”

Yee has consistently scored top marks from environmentalists. In 2010, he was one of only two state senators to be 100% rated by every major environmental organization, including the Sierra Club, League of Conservation Voters, and Clean Water Action.

For these efforts, Yee has received several environmental honors including the Resource Conservation Award by the California Resource Recovery Association; Coastal Steward Award by Vote the Coast; Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Neighborhoods by the Coalition for San Francisco Neighborhoods; and Environmental Champion by Environment California

Among Yee’s many environmental accomplishments, he co-authored AB 32 – the Global Warming Solutions Act, and was one the most outspoken legislators opposing the bad “water deal” package in Sacramento. He passed legislation to stop offshore oil drilling, was a leader in the effort to protect the Farallon Islands, and passed reform legislation in response to the 2007 San Francisco Bay Cosco Busan oil spill.

“Renzo Piano’s sublimeCalifornia Academy of Sciences (CAS), one of last year’s most widely praised buildings and the winner of a platinum rating from the Leadership in Energy and Design standard system—the highest rating from the world’s leading eco-rating program. Piano is also, by the way, among the starriest of the starchitects.”

O.K. then. This morning’s mise-en-scene, the four-story rainforest dome to the left and the tower of the de Young Museum far off across the Music Concourse. Click to expand.

He discussed a recent visit to Central Park, or as he called it, “Golden Gate Park East” and made reference to the American Museum of Natural History, which he envies for its subway access. (Dr. Farrington is actually “lusting after” the concept of a subway going to the CAS. Maybe someday…)

Dr. F went on to extol the Thursday evening nightLifeprogram, which is targetted for those aged 21-35. He stated that Nightlife has won over fans on Facebook – for example, someone whose initial reaction was “how geeky can you get?” is now a huge fan.

He warned the audience members to be careful what they toss into the garbage at CAS. He jokingly suggested that former employees “now work at the de Young” after having gotten the boot for trash transgressions.

But he’s a big picture kind of guy, pointing out that CAS is attempting to answer two questions:

We’re not talking about being classified as having attained LEED (The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System) status of Certified, Silver, Gold, or Platinum (what will come next – titanium, onyx, or Centurion?).